Kitchen exhaust cleaning is a vital part of maintaining the safety of your restaurant. It is a great way to ensure the quality of your food while ensuring the health of your staff. While you can do it yourself, it is best to hire a professional contractor to do the job. A qualified contractor will use cleaning detergents and powerful pressure washing techniques to ensure your kitchen hood and ductwork is clean and free of grease, dust and debris.
Keeping your hood and ductwork free of grease and other residues can improve the efficiency of your cooking equipment and decrease power costs. The NFPA recommends cleaning your hood at least once a year. However, the frequency depends on how much cooking your business does and what types of foods you prepare. You will also want to keep up with any maintenance or inspections that are required by the fire code.
Grease buildup can create a fire hazard. Restaurants are a prime example of how grease can quickly ignite. In fact, the NFPA reports that 90% of fires in commercial food establishments start in the kitchen. When a fire starts in the kitchen, it is likely to contact the filters on the kitchen hood, thereby increasing the chances of a large fire.
In addition to reducing the risk of a fire, regular cleaning of your kitchen hood is a smart way to maintain your kitchen and stay compliant with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard 96. As a result, a well-maintained hood can save you money on fire insurance premiums.
Another benefit to cleaning your kitchen hood is that it can help you avoid fines from the Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning fire department. Most jurisdictions require compliance with NFPA Standard 96. If your restaurant’s hood is not properly cleaned, the city health inspector may find that it is in violation of the health code and may levy fines.
One of the most common fire hazards in restaurants is a buildup of grease on the roof of the hood. This can create a hazard for your employees and can also cause costly roof repairs. Additionally, it can pose a hazard for the food you are serving and cause EPA/OSHA violations.
In order to clean the hood, you can purchase a kit at a home improvement store, but this is not the same as hiring a professional contractor. A professional will be able to apply a food safe finish to your hood, scrub the inside of your hood and exhaust fan and remove debris from the ductwork.
For the best results, make sure you select a certified kitchen exhaust cleaning company. These companies offer a higher level of testing and inspection than other competitors. Choosing a reputable company will also reduce the risks of fire damage. Having your hood cleaned by a professional is also a good idea if your insurance company requires it.
Using a food-safe caustic chemical is a good way to break down and remove grease from your hood. Typically, these products are applied with a garden-type sprayer. After a few minutes, the chemicals are rinsed off with hot water.